Nilsson Schmilsson [Extra tracks][Original recording remastered]

Harry Nilsson

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: January 13, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000159ELA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,952 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

The late Harry Nilsson's creative and commercial peak, this LP showcases the singer-songwriter's lighthearted worldview to best advantage. It remains one of the best, most consistent, and least dated albums from an early-'70s era not known for underplayed, unpretentious subtlety. Here you get strong interpretive singing (how ironic that this tunesmith's biggest hits were covers, such as Badfinger's "Without You"), inventive arranging (the hilarious, marble-mouthed "Coconut"), and distinctive melodicism (check out that lovely paean to the stars, "The Moonbeam Song"). In keeping with the domesticated figure on the cover--complete with housecoat, cigarette, and waiting refrigerator--the mood is laidback and homey, and there's a palpable feeling of comfort in both the production and the material. Nilsson's multi-octave voice was never so full of life. Other albums (like the John Lennon-produced Pussy Cats and the essential Nilsson Sings Newman) have their moments, but this is where to begin any Nilsson collection. (The 2004 reissue boasts superb remastering and six bonus cuts: one unreleased original tune, three demos, a Spanish version of "Without You," and a true oddity called "Lamaze.") --Don Harrison

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a definitive version!, August 31, 2004

By	Jamie Tate (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This beautiful album has not recieved the love and affection it deserves throughout the years. There have been numerous CD releases and all (except for the $30 Mobile Fidelity gold CD) have woefully inadequate fidelity due to incompetent mastering jobs and/or poor source material.

The Camden import CD series were taken from cassette quality tape dubs and mastered for that "You aren't there" sound. The recent Japan remasters sound fine but have that very annoying digital hiss removal which destroyed the transients and made things sound like MP3's. Grrrrr!

This CD version was mastered from the original tapes by Vic Anesini. Vic's name is usually the mark of quality. You can buy with confindence when you see his name. He's made this album sound right... finally. It's not as top ended as the MFSL gold CD but that disc was sourced from Richard Perry's personal tapes and not the original masters. Vic has made some wise EQ choices and things sound smooth, natural and pleasing.

The bonus tracks are nice although all have been released before on various discs.

Again, buy with confidence. This is a wonderful album needing a place in everyone's music library.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harry Nilsson's Classic Finally Gets Remastered!, January 18, 2004

By	highway_star (Hallandale, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

In 1971, singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson released the album entitled "Nilsson Schmilsson", and what many consider to be his best work. The smash hit "Without You" (written by Pete Ham & Tom Evans of Badfinger) was the album's first hit and it went straight to number one on the pop and adult contemperary charts. But the album also spawned several other hits as well with the reggaeish tune "Coconut" and the frantic rocker "Jump Into The Fire". The musicians on "Nilsson Schmilsson" are first rate with artists such as Jim Gordon (drummer for Derek & The Dominos), Klaus Voorman (played bass guitar on John Lennon's "Imagine" album), Chris Spedding (an accomplished guitarist) and Gary Wright (keyboardist for Spooky Tooth) all adding their two bits on this excellent album. The songs are full of pop tunes such as "Gotta Get Up", "Driving Along", "Coconut" and the seven minute rock classic "Jump Into The Fire". You've got ballads here such as the above mentioned "Without You" and "I'll Never Leave You". There are also six bonus tracks included in this newly remastered version such as "Si No Estas Tu" (Spanish Version Of "Without You"), "How Can I Be Sure", "The Moonbeam Song (Demo Version)", "Lamaze", "Old Forgotten Soldier (Demo Version" and "Gotta Get Up (Demo Version)". The remastering is excellent and certainly surpasses the non-remastered version with increased mid-range, bass and extended output. Ranked in the Top 100 albums of all time, "Nilsson Schmilsson" certainly has earned it's rightful place and is an album all lovers of seventies music should have in their collection.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 5 star album; 3 star remaster, December 12, 2006

By	Gordon Pfannenstiel (Russell, KS United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was delighted when, finally, Nilsson Schmilsson was finally getting the "deluxe" release treatment. I'd paid big bucks for the import in the late 90s, and that was such a disappointment, sonically.

Well, despite reviews to the contrary, the sonics on this release are not much better, and do not hold a candle to the original LP. My old LP may have a few pops, but it blows this CD release away, sonically. I don't know how that can be, but believe me, it's true

This, along with Son Of Schmilsson, is a truly classic pop/rock album. Maybe someday they'll do it right. After all this time, I'll done holding my breath.